Job 30:20       “I cry out to You, but You do not answer me;
                         I stand up, and You regard me.

I think perhaps no other book of the entire Bible is so easily misunderstood or taken out of context as Job. As we read the book we must always remember what happened in the first couple of chapters and what’s coming in the last couple. What we find in the middle are the heartfelt, if sometimes, mistaken feelings of Job and his friends.

We sympathize with Job. He had lost virtually everything. But he didn’t lose his memory. He could not help but think back to better days and he was trying to make sense of it all. As a man of faith he turned to God. He prayed. He asked. He cried out to God and God’s reply was…nothing. Job felt like he was standing there while God looked at him but remained aloof. But Job didn’t turn away. He kept coming back.

We all have felt that way I think. We’ve all wondered, “Why won’t God answer me? Am I doing something wrong?” It’s not a bad question. I know there have been times in my life when my issues really were the result of sinful choices. In those cases I have found God to be faithful to point out where I need to change. But that wasn’t the case with Job. He was learning patience and deepening his faith.

It wasn’t easy. But God didn’t remain silent forever. He did eventually answer Job. Job’s trouble serves as an illustration of patience and endurance in great difficulty. It shows us that a person can lose everything there is to lose and yet retain their faith in God. But it wasn’t easy.

When I pray and feel God doesn’t answer, can I be patient? Can I keep my face pointed toward God? Can I keep coming back? Am I willing for my life to be an illustration?

 

Blessings,

Pastor Russ